Government Targets Rental Vehicles Used in Crime
Criminals may be turning rental vehicles into tools of the trade, and the government says the trend now demands action. Minister of National Security Michel Chebat has announced plans to review the laws governing vehicle-rental companies as authorities report an increase in crimes involving rented vehicles. The proposed changes could require companies to strengthen customer screening and record-keeping, but industry stakeholders have not yet publicly weighed in. The question now is whether tougher rules can help police track criminals without placing an unfair burden on legitimate businesses and customers.
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
”As Minister Chebat would have indicated in his press briefing on the last occasion, that is an area that is indeed being explored. I can confirm that quite a number of the incidents that we have seen, even those we have seen across districts involved the usage of rental vehicles. I had previously communicated with Deputy Miller on previous occasions to understand what goes into work when it comes to the license for these vehicles, rental agencies, and he made certain indications to me. And we were meaning to have a meeting to flesh it out more. The long and short of it is that the issue of rental vehicles is one that is live. We have seen them being used on a number of occasions. We have a number of them in custody pending forfeiture procedures, because they have been using in violent crimes and transshipment of drugs. So it is a live issue, one that is being explored and one that requires more regulation.”
According to Smith, in some instances criminals acquire vehicles from established car rental companies.
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